REFUGIO – The Refugio City Council approved to award $24,000 in hotel occupancy tax to the Refugio County Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday night, Jan. 14.

The $24,000 amount was later noticed as a typo. The chamber had actually requested $34,000.

Acting on the advice of the city attorney, the council approved the $24,000 and said the additional $10,000 would be placed on a future agenda.

The council also approved 85 percent of a request for hotel occupancy tax to the Refugio County Wine Classic set for March 14-16 in Heritage Park.

Organizers had requested $17,800. The amount they received was $15,130.

The council approved a firefighting contract with Refugio County in the amount of $34,000.

The council also approved hiring a new police officer for the Refugio Police Department.

Police Chief Andy Lopez Jr. said his department had an unexpected vacancy in the latter part of December.

The new hire, Edward Andrew Sena, comes from El Paso.

The council moved its regular meeting date in November from Veterans Day, Nov. 11, to Nov. 12 instead.

The council also approved a resolution designating GrantWorks Inc. as its planning service provider for Community Development Block Grant building funds.

In a related requirement, the council approved a proclamation Proclaiming April “Fair Housing Month.” The authorized signators for the CDBG Planning and Capacity Building Fund are the mayor, mayor pro tem and the city secretary.